Page 118 of Heart of Frost and Scars

“Don’t touch me.” I tower over her, forcing her back another step while keeping a foot of space between us. “Don’t look at me. Don’t fucking talk to me unless it’s important. And just to be clear, your opinions about our sexiness aren’t important.”

A sound draws my eyes to the bar. Monty and Leo have their backs to me, but given how their shoulders shake, they find my speech amusing.

Sirena, on the other hand, sucks in a breath as a flush rises from her low-cut shirt and blotches her heavy chest.

“Fuck you.” Her words spit like venom.

Turning on her heel, she struts out the door amid more whistles and cat calls.

“Damn, bro.” Leo tips an eyebrow at me. “Fucking harsh.”

Before I can respond, the owner appears, a man in his late forties with a stout build and a face weathered by years of hard work.

“Mr. Novak, it’s a pleasure to have you in my establishment.” He extends a hand.

“Pilip.” Monty shakes it, sliding him a polite smile.

“What brings you in tonight?” Pilip turns to Leo and me, recognition dawning in his eyes. “Oh! You’re the brother and nephew I saw all over the news.”

I press my lips together, my gaze hard.

“We’d like a tour of the distillery.” Monty pockets his phone.

“Of course, of course. Right this way.”

Would the man be so eager if he knew Monty was interested in buying it?

Monty makes formal introductions, giving him our names. Then we follow him into the back and through a network of gleaming stainless-steel stills, polished pipes, and rows of filtration tanks.

The scents of sweet corn, earthy wheat, and the faintest hint of rye envelop me in a sensory experience that transports me back to the cellar in Hoss.

Pilip talks animatedly, explaining the process and the history of the place, but my thoughts are elsewhere.

I see the future so clearly. A vision of transformation. I would keep the state-of-the-art equipment. But everything else would go.

My vision comes together in my mind. With passion and hard work—and Monty’s capital investment—my ideas can become a reality.

As we finish the tour, Pilip looks at us expectantly. “Do you have any questions?”

Monty glances at me, giving me the floor.

I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of the decision. “We’d like to discuss a potential purchase.”

“Oh…uh…” Pilip smiles. “It’s not for sale.”

Monty throws out a number that sends the man into a choking fit.

If I hadn’t seen Monty’s car collection, I would’ve been choking, too.

“Let’s sit down and go over the details.” Monty gestures toward the private room in the back.

Leo catches my gaze, wordlessly asking if I’m sure about this.

Monty hasn’t given me his offer as my investor. Right now, this is just a conversation. A potential purchase. Nothing is set in stone. I won’t sign or agree to anything until I discuss it with Leo and Frankie.

Nodding, I let Leo see the hunger in my eyes. The hunger for a dream I never thought was possible.

As Monty follows Pilip toward the back, Leo steps into my space and wraps his arms around me.

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